Northern will be looking to make it three consecutive representations in the side, after Tom Wilson in 2016 and Cameron O’Shea last year.

A number of Northern Blues could feature in the Team of the Year.

1. Tom WilsonThe skipper will be vying for his second berth in the Team of the Year, after making the bench in his best-and-fairest season two years ago. Wilson achieved a career-best for disposals in a season (435), as well as coming in second for clearances and inside 50s across the VFL. It would be just reward for Wilson, after another strong year from one of competition’s most consistent performers.

3. Jesse PalmerIn his first season for the Blues after arriving from Port Adelaide, Palmer acclimatised himself almost instantly to the VFL. Palmer kicked 27 goals from 17 games, including two bags of five and a haul of four against reigning premiers Port Melbourne. Northern’s leading goal-kicker this season, Palmer placed seventh for scoreboard impact among VFL-listed players. He also averaged 14 disposals and five marks per game.

8. Josh HillAt the start of the season, Josh Hill potentially featuring in the defensive line for the VFL Team of the Year seemed most unlikely. Despite kicking over 200 goals at AFL level, Hill — who was shifted to the back-line mid-season — became one of Northern’s standout performers as the Blues went on a winning run. Leading Northern for marks and second for rebound 50s, the 29-year-old proved to be a valuable asset for the Blues.

9. Sam FisherBuilding into his maiden VFL year by the week, Sam Fisher’s back-end to the year was electric. Playing as an inside midfielder, Fisher stamped himself as one of Northern’s prime movers, amassing big amounts of contested possessions and clearances. He ultimately played every game of the season, leading the Blues for tackles and averaging 21 disposals per game.